During a recent live fire demonstration, BAE Systems successfully tested a counter-drone capability of its Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle (AMPV) Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System (C-UAS) prototype.
Developed in collaboration with Moog, the AMPV C-UAS prototype demonstrated the ability to accurately detect, track, identify, and defeat or disable stationary and moving aerial and ground targets.
The exercise included realistic battle scenarios at the Big Sandy range in Kingman, Arizona. It displayed the turret engaging with ground targets and utilizing a slew-to-cue capability to target both stationary and moving small drones with 30mm proximity rounds.
These positive results exemplify opportunities for future capability growth within the purpose-built modular framework of the AMPV platform.
“From the earliest combat capability concept stage of the AMPV program, we intentionally designed a modular and flexible configuration to provide an adaptable and ready-for-growth platform for the warfighter,” said Bill Sheehy, BAE Systems AMPV program director. “In just over one year, our successful collaboration with Moog on the C-UAS prototype showcased the art of the possibility of what a rapid response from leading industry providers can drive. When it comes to setting the tone for future integration at a higher standard and better pace for Soldiers, this is just the beginning of what you’ll see from the AMPV.”
The versatile prototype was showcased at the Association of the United States Army Annual Meeting & Exposition in October. It was designed with the same proven chassis as the existing variants in the family of vehicles (FoV) but also possesses the key enhancements of BAE Systems’ External Mission Equipment Package (ExMEP) top plate that allows for rapid integration of future technologies and capabilities onto the AMPV.
The ExMEP on the AMPV C-UAS prototype is configured with the Moog Reconfigurable Integrated-weapons Platform (RIwP) turret, which is a modular weapon system that is part of the Army’s Maneuver-Short Range Air Defense (M-SHORAD) turret. The M-SHORAD is one example of the more than 30 turret systems ExMEP is capable of adapting at a swift pace.
Moog was responsible for supplying and integrating the C-UAS weapon system, which includes various components such as Leonardo DRS’ Multi-Mission Hemispheric Radars (MHR) for 360-degree coverage, C2 systems, and Northrop Grumman’s XM914 30mm cannon. When assembled, the AMPV C-UAS also carried camera and sensor packages, associated command and control systems, stinger missiles, and a machine gun. The vehicle can be configured for multiple roles, such as anti-armor attack and air defense.
“The fully integrated mission capability demonstrated in this RIwP equipment package on AMPV is ready now and poised to meet the current and future needs of our warfighters,” said Brandon Gollwitzer, Moog Inc. Turreted Weapon Systems general manager, United States.
